We are the body. Our calling is to be the hands that are doing and feet that are going. I wanted to say a lot more, but decided instead to let this video by Eric Ludy speak for itself.
Category Archives: Christianity
Keep Blowing that Trumpet
In Ezekiel 33, God describes to Ezekiel the role of the watchmen. If he sees the sword (enemy armies) coming, and blows the trumpet, then each person that hears the warning is responsible for heeding the warning or not. If the watchmen does not blow the trumpet, then he is responsible for the loss of life. Ezekiel, as the prophet of God, is identified as Israel’s watchmen and encouraged to keep blowing his trumpet. Figuratively speaking.
By the end of the chapter, God encourages Ezekiel to keep proclaiming the Word even though it seems no one is responding. Everyone is exciting about coming to listen, but no one actually does what he says. God actually says it’s like listening to a singer that plays his instrument well; Israel listens, but takes no action. In the same way, we must keep blowing our trumpet. Share the Gospel. Call the lost to repentance. Invite friends, family and neighbors to church. Most will not respond. Some will politely decline, a few will “think about” or say they will try. A few people will speak up and discourage us. In our changing culture, you may encounter active protest. You may be called a bigot, a hater, a hypocrite or be accused of judging. Keep blowing that trumpet. If we warn the world that judgement is coming – and Ex 33:33 reminds us it is – then each is responsible for how he or she responds.
Sharing the Gospel is an act of love, not hate. Warning others that God is a righteous judge is not judging others. All of us that know that have received the Gospel are called to share it with others. No matter what happens, keep blowing that trumpet.
If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:8-9 ESV)
What Makes a Good Pastor?
What are the marks of a good church pastor? I think most people would talk about a foundation of knowledge in the scripture, and hopefully a commitment to the Gospel. These are great answers, and those qualities will make themselves apparent from the pulpit in each and every sermon. A pastor is often called to minister, however, at other times than 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. That’s when the rubber meets the road and we really need more than a good public speaker.
In 2003, my mother suffered a major heart attack. She had been smoking for over 40 years, and one Saturday morning Dad drove her to the hospital displaying all the classic symptoms. In the ER she went into full cardiac arrest. Once they got her heart started again (after 4 shocks from the defibrillator) we learned that she would need a total of 4 bypasses. Before even driving to the hospital, I called my church pastor to start the prayer chain. Each person on the list calls the next person and so on, so that with only one call everyone can join in prayer during a crisis. I talked to him briefly, then called again when Mom went into surgery to give him an update. I expected him to pray, make a few calls, and that I would see him again Sunday morning.
I was surprised when my pastor, Mike Jones, came into the waiting room. Continue reading
Can Christians Vote for a Mormon
Can Christians Vote for a Mormon? That was the topic of a panel discussion at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. When I saw the headline, I couldn’t believe we were still talking about this. The panel resulted in some good points being made about viewing American history from a Christian perspective and abandoning the idea that the White House is some king of mascot for Christianity. I like this statement from Al Mohler: “Above all we have a Gospel responsibility, that we are first and foremost citizens of the heavenly Kingdom and our concern is that others will become a part of the Kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel.”
The panel was composed of four members, among them Al Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Baptist Seminary and Russell Moore, dead of the school of theology at Southern. Despite a little shock at the headline (and maybe that was the point) I really liked where they came out on this. Read the entire article at Baptist Press.
Patriot Day
Patriot Day, September 11 each year, is a day of prayer and remembrance for all the victims and their families of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. This is a reprint of What Makes Us Stronger: Perspective on 9/11, written last year for the 10th anniversary.
The goal of terrorism is to disrupt the normal activities of a group by paralyzing its members with fear. A decade later we can look back on the terror attacks of 9/11 with both historic and Christian perspective. Continue reading
Jesus Had Feelings Too
John 11:35, famously the shortest verse in scripture, says that Jesus wept. I once heard a preacher say there is no verse about Jesus laughing. We can get out on thin ice when we start identifying the litany of things not specified in scripture. Although the word trinity is not in the Bible, the concept of the trinity is definitely scriptural. Jesus had much to do in a very short period of time, and the demands of ministry were often overwhelming. In John 11 he wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus lamented that Jerusalem did not repent, agonized during the final hours before his arrest and betrayal, and at other times seemed to display almost violent anger. Is there evidence to suggest that Jesus also experienced the other end of the human spectrum of emotions? Jesus was surrounded by so many that rejected the Gospel, but a careful study of scripture reveals he didn’t mope around like all hope was lost. Continue reading
I’ve Got Friends in Blog Places
I love the Internet; no surprise there right? I watch movies online, stream music, author multiple blogs and make excessive use of Facebook. My wife and I each have a laptop, and our own handheld web devices. I’m blogging in the kitchen while baking a lasagna, but that’s probably more intel than you need.
One of the privileges afforded by the internet is that anyone can have a global audience. This blog is read around the block and around the world. I in turn have made blog friends in places such as Canada, Australia and Israel. While brothers and sisters in the Kingdom, we have never met in person. Paul Wilkinson (he’s Canadian, eh) is the author of Christianity 201 and Thinking Out Loud, both of which are listed in the blogroll at right. He wrote me last week and asked about submitting a guest post, which I am always happy to do. Good blogs include links to other places, and one test of your own blog worthiness is being linked to by others. Featuring a guest author adds variety to your own blog and increases the web presence of your guest. If no one has coined the term Internetworking let me toss it out there now.
My latest post, Jesus Said More Than the Lord’s Prayer, is featured at Christianity 201. Paul adds new content daily from a variety of sources, so be sure to visit again.
Storyline Drops September 6th
Donald Miller’s new book Storyline, available tomorrow on Amazon.
Donald Miller, as in Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What. Jump to Miller’s blog here.
The American Bible Challenge
The American Bible Challenge premiered tonight on GSN. I’m actually watching it right now. I recommend this review from Catholic Online. The GSN page for Bible Challenge is here.
If you watched it, I want to know what you thought. Fair warning though; if you didn’t watch it, do not presume to tell me what’s wrong with it.
The Read and Share File
It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to share. Here’s what this writer has been reading:
9 Marks offers tips on leading the church in a healthy direction. Read them here.
Tim Challies is doing a series on the holiness of God.
- Part 1: The Holiness of God and the Existence of Hell
- Part 2: The Just Wrath of a Holy God
- Part 3: God’s Mercy and God’s Wrath Meet at the Cross
Ray Ortland suggests that small talk has a place in ministry. While I agree, I’m not totally sure that’s what happened in Acts 10:27. Read The Astonishing Amiability and see what you think.
The Master's Table 